Diamonds Aren’t So Tough

Most people have heard that diamonds are the hardest gemstone and are harder than most things on the planet. Hardness is defined in the jewelry industry as resistance to scratching. So that means that almost nothing can scratch a diamond. And that is why a diamond is generally recommended as the top choice for an engagement ring stone.

Sapphires are tougher than diamonds. Example of a sapphire ring from MySapphireSource.

But did you also know that while the hardness of a diamond is excellent, the toughness of diamonds is only fair to good? Toughness is defined as resistance to breaking, chipping or cracking. In considering day to day wear and tear, this is a critical consideration. If hit just right, a diamond can easily break or chip. So that’s why we encourage consumers to consider various gemstones, particularly sapphire, when selecting an important ring that will be worn every day. Sapphires and rubies are the second hardest gemstone and have a toughness level of excellent (better than the toughness of a diamond). Sapphires are much less prone to breaking or chipping than a diamond.

Yellow Sapphire Engagment Set